Dental Malpractice Litigation by Experienced Washington Medical Malpractice Attorneys

Most people associate the term "medical malpractice" with errors made by doctors, nurses, or other hospital staff. However, the personal injury attorneys at the Washington State firm of Phillips & Webster also litigate cases for patients who suffer injury or harm as a result of dental malpractice. In fact, dental malpractice is shockingly common in Washington, and can include any of the claims typically associated with medical malpractice, such as failure to diagnose cancer of the mouth, periodontal disease or another condition, surgical errors, anesthesiology mistakes, and medication errors. Read on to learn more about the severity of the dental malpractice problem in this state.

• Dental Malpractice in Washington
• Results of Dental Malpractice

Dental Malpractice in Washington

Unfortunately, the laws governing dental certification and punishment of negligent dentists are especially lax in the state of Washington. Dentists who are not eligible for certification in other states, or are denied entry by the regulatory agencies of other states, often come to Washington to practice. Furthermore, a recent investigation conducted by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer shows that dentists who commit serious and even deadly errors are allowed to remain in practice in Washington, with few restrictions and sanctions.

Our medical malpractice attorneys are familiar with cases in which dentists in Washington have run unsanitary clinics, or have been negligent and seriously injured or even caused the death of patients. In most cases, these dentists are merely reprimanded with orders to pursue continuing education classes and are allowed to remain in practice. To make matters worse, follow-up visits are rarely made to these doctors by state regulatory agents or representatives from the dental board or Department of Health. And, negligent dentists are rarely tested after attending continuing education classes, which they are often allowed two to three years to complete.

Washington dental board members who were questioned about this state of affairs blamed lack of sufficient funding, staffing problems, and a heavy case load for legal and investigative staff for these shortcomings. State Representative Tom Campbell has proposed legislation to change the state system for certification and discipline of dental professionals, but so far none of his proposals have been acted upon.

At the firm of Phillips & Webster, our medical malpractice attorneys hold offices in Seattle, Woodinville, and Bellevue, and are experienced in all aspects of dental malpractice litigation. We urge all dental patients in the state of Washington to fully research the credentials and disciplinary record of any dentist, orthodontist, or endodontist to whom they entrust their oral health. If you suspect that you have been the victim of dental malpractice in Washington State, contact our attorneys today for a complimentary consultation.

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Results of Dental Malpractice

Dental malpractice can lead to a number of very serious injuries, many of which can cause permanent damage to a patient's mouth, face, and even his or her ability to taste or speak clearly. The following is a list of injuries that can be sustained by victims of dental malpractice:

• Damage or injury to the teeth and/or gums
• Infection
• Internal bleeding as the result of surgical error
• Brain injury as the result of anesthesia error
• Injuries from faulty or poorly fitted bridges, crowns, veneers, or implants
• Injury to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) after poor orthodontic treatment
• Nerve damage to the tongue, jaw, or lips
• Loss of ability to taste
• Injury to the bones in the jaw and face
• Wrongful death

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Contact Dental Malpractice Litigators in Washington

Not every instance of unsatisfactory results or discomfort after a visit to the dentist's office qualifies as dental malpractice. However, if you feel that you or someone you love has been the victim of dental malpractice, it is in your best interests to contact an attorney at the Washington medical malpractice law firm of Phillips & Webster as soon as possible. As with all medical malpractice claims, there is a statute of limitations in the state of Washington on all dental negligence cases, which means that your entitlement to compensation may expire if you wait too long to act. We can help you gather evidence and construct a medical malpractice case, which will enable you to pursue compensation for your injuries. Call us today for your free consultation.

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